Being tire is robbing me of money

[Radiance]

Ok so,

I have a LOT going on in my life, some of the good stuff and some of the adversity type.
Intense, painful, revelating...

So basically, by the time it is 4:40 is am exhausted! I still have ways to go until 9pm which is my son bed time. By then I just go to bed! I wake up at 6:00 still sleepy.

I won two bids to work on websites, I need to do that even if it is one hour a day! While keeping my day job, being a single mom and dealing with my share of heartache at the moment.

How do I get the energy and stamina to do that?
I know I can, but I need some inspiration...
What are frugal ways to keep your energy and sanity after 9pm

[disneysteve]

First things I'd look at are your diet and exercise routine. If you aren't already, get on a good low fat, high fiber diet. Avoid caffeine and limit sweets. Drink plenty of water. And make sure you are getting regular exercise, every day if possible.

A general multivitamin is not a bad idea either.

If the tiredness continues, I'd make an appointment with your doctor to get checked out and get some blood work. Check for anemia, diabetes, thyroid trouble, etc.

[BlackDiamond]

I always feel more tired when I have too much caffiene and not enough water. Also, when my sleep schedule is too varied.

[Rei]

The body/mind connection is huge. Plan a simple getaway for a couple hours each week... a state park or conservation area... somewhere with water and a little quiet... or find something simple which you and your son look forward to & which will become a tradition. Keep a good book going... Tolkien, Dickens, Grisham, L'Amour ... well written fiction. A good story resets your mind and gives you something to look forward to. A library & thrift stores are frugal sources. (Assuming you are not already doing things like these.)
Do you have a friend nearby to talk to once in a while?

I think Disneysteve is right on with the recommendation for a check up and blood work if this continues.

[jIM_Ohio]

In direct contrast to the Dr's advice, try 5 hour energy.

I am first to admit since I stopped coaching soccer my health has been "less optimum". My pant size has gone up a little (32 waist to 34 waist).

Throughout my life I crave mountain dew. Usually having 2 per day.
If I had a mountain dew after 3pm my wife would cringe because she knew I would be restless most of the night.

Within the last 2 weeks I have changed to 5 hour energy. It makes a BIG BIG difference. No sugary jitters, no crash. Try it Have one at 2pm and you should be good until 7pm or so.

[Radiance]

all right

1. Eating better - workingon it, stress and worry rob me of appetite, the only thing I can stomach right now are fruits and yogurt
2. Exercise - I started 15 min brisk walks, they work wanders. Due to life changes I can only do this Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays when my son is with his dad. My son is not a friend or organized walking
3. Water - Always a challenge for me, need to work on that
4. Sleep - I do have problems sleeping, need to go back to my relaxation tapes...
5. A general multivitamin - check
6. Relaxation - Will incorporate

that

Let's try that first and then I can try the 5 hour energy or use it a couple times a week.

I am tired thinking about all I have to do not be tired!!!

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by Radiance

Exercise - I started 15 min brisk walks, they work wanders. Due to life changes I can only do this Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays when my son is with his dad.

I find it impossible to accept that anyone can not carve out 15 minutes each day to exercise. One suggestion I often make to patients who tell me that is to ask if they watch TV at all. Of course, they all say yes. So I tell them that from now on, at each commercial break, stand up and walk in place until the show comes back on. Prime time TV shows 17 minutes of commercials per hour so if you do this during one hour or two half-hour shows, you will have walked for 17 minutes.

If that doesn't work for you (you don't watch TV), walk in place while you brush your teeth morning and night (I do this myself). Walk in place while cooking or washing dishes or any other time of day when you can.

Assuming someone is physically able to walk, there is no reason not to be able to squeeze in 15-30 minutes/day of walking.

[cptacek]

Radiance, you are also dealing with grief, which can wreak havoc with your sleep schedule and general energy level. I found that even when it wasn't in the forefront of my mind, I still had a heavy burden I just couldn't shake sometimes. And it came and went without warning. I hope you have an outlet for that as well.

[cschin4]

You should get a medical evaluation if you are feeling more exhausted or tired than usual. You could have low thyroid levels, or other medical conditions causing fatigue. I had chronic fatigue syndrome and went through the whole workup and ultimately was found to have Lyme's disease. And, I still don't feel the same energy as I used to and probably never will but have just learned to deal with it and pace myself. it is a little frustrating because people who have not been through that or have that treat you as a malingerer, etc. But, I rarely talk about with people because of that reason and there seems to be some stigma to having Chronic Fatigue. You should also get worked up for other hormones and possibly depression as well. If you have some depression/anxiety issues you could get temporary treatment but that does not mean you need meds for the rest of your life as some people seem to think. So, take good care of yourself and also look into those other issues.

[PetMom]

Radiance you are busy and raising your precious child and (as a lot of us are - concerned about money in this economy). There are a lot of good suggestions on this post but you need to realize you just went through an emotional trauma of a miscarriage.

Even though weeks ago the effects of that could leave you feeling drained and tired and exhausted.

Did you find any support group or psychologist or even a book at the library about this topic on how to process this emotionally?

All the good tips here of diet, exercise (maybe yoga or light stretchy movements - might not want to take up running right now) and relaxation and a check up and maybe discussing this with your Dr. if your grief might be causing this exhaustion.

[Radiance]

Dr. check ups are ok
The issue is indeed on the emotional level.
The miscarriage turned out to be the tip of the iceberg.
My life is in disarray

But this is a financial forum so I'll keep it to the point.

Steve, excellent idea, while I cannot take brisk walks with my toddler, I can jog in place while he explores, indoor excersice, Yoga, etc.

Outlets, I have Church on Sundays, a great group of friends who love me and check on me regularly, daily actually, I am attending a new a support group on Mondays and going back to one I used to attend on Sundays. Daily meditation at least 15 min a day.

Since three of my dearest and wisest friends separately recommended therapy, I called for an appointment, even though it is expensive. It is expensive but it is a priority I get better and stable.

Meanwhile I am joining forces with a friend so he helps me with the website work. It will be less income but I wont have to waste this opportunity.

[Decatur]

You may want to consider a baby sitter so you can get the web design work finished. I did something similar when my son was young. If you charge $40/hr for web work, and pay a baby sitter $8.hr, you are still ahead by $32/hr. (you may make or pay more or less, but you get the picture.)

[jaine]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

First things I'd look at are your diet and exercise routine. If you aren't already, get on a good low fat, high fiber diet. Avoid caffeine and limit sweets. Drink plenty of water. And make sure you are getting regular exercise, every day if possible.

A general multivitamin is not a bad idea either.

If the tiredness continues, I'd make an appointment with your doctor to get checked out and get some blood work. Check for anemia, diabetes, thyroid trouble, etc.

I think the ideal diet depends on the person ... I definitely have the most energy when I am eating a high-fat, low-carb diet! For me the best kind of energy and mental clarity comes from nuts, fatty cuts of meat, and vegetables. On a low-fat diet I would feel like a train wreck and very tired. Everyone is so different!

I used to need 10 hours of sleep when I was eating a food-pyramid style diet with grains at the base of it. Now I have meat and vegetables as the base of my food pyramid and do well with 8 hours of sleep.

[FHA Loan]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

First things I'd look at are your diet and exercise routine. If you aren't already, get on a good low fat, high fiber diet. Avoid caffeine and limit sweets. Drink plenty of water. And make sure you are getting regular exercise, every day if possible.

A general multivitamin is not a bad idea either.

If the tiredness continues, I'd make an appointment with your doctor to get checked out and get some blood work. Check for anemia, diabetes, thyroid trouble, etc.

This is great advice. Being tired and sleepy all the time is often a sign of depression. Good diet, exercise, and getting out in the sunshine are all MUCH better ways to a speed recovery and happiness than any pill a doctor might prescribe for depression.

And if you're NOT depressed, then the diet and exercise STILL helps.

[Radiance]

Hi, I was just trying to do too much.

I cut back,
Delayed some projects
I am letting my son eat the school food, this was so difficult for me, but my emotional health was at stake. At some point I'll cook for him again.
I say not to some help requests form friends.
I removed myself from facebook.
I lowered my standards at home cleaning.
I am more involved at church and taking dance lessons.
I pick two priorities and work on them for a while thenm I switch instead of adding more.
Business, I only work 2-3 hours/week on it, when I can , projects has not solidified and I am not chasing them. I will be able to get back to business (pun intended) just not right now.

[AmySL]

Totally with you on that.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Put son to bed earlier? Heard that most kids bedtimes are between 6 pm and 7:30 pm. 9 seems late.

[cschin4]

DOWNSIZE - By this I mean you need to cut things out of your life that are sapping your energy. Too much TV, electronic gizmos, stuff that needs maintainence, or commitments to outside activities such as clubs, organizations, activities for your kid, etc.
Focus, work for you, taking care of your child and house and school for your kid. Eliminate other stressors, have some downtime and quite time. And, realize that you cannot do it all.

[cschin4]

I just noticed the post is from 04/2010!

[bjl584]

Originally Posted by cschin4

I just noticed the post is from 04/2010!

It's ok. We will forgive you.........This time!!!